The most common skin condition in the United States, about 50 million Americans deal with acne every year. Acne affects both teens and adults, including many women who develop acne in their 30s and 40s.
We can treat your adult acne at Plateroti Dermatology. Once we confirm your diagnosis, we’ll help you develop an effective treatment plan to manage your condition. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is just one of the special treatments that quickly and effectively solves your adult acne problem.
Acne forms when dead skin cells and body oils clog pores. Common skin bacteria infects these pores, creating pustules, blackheads, and whiteheads.
Hormone changes can upset the rate of skin oil production as well as the way your skin sheds old cells. Though it isn’t always clear why it’s a problem for some people and not others, the resulting adult acne becomes an aesthetic issue for those affected.
PDT uses light to treat acne conditions, and it’s particularly effective for severe or stubborn adult acne problems. The process starts with an application of photosensitizer, which soaks into your skin for about an hour.
Photosensitizer catalyzes porphyrin molecules in abnormal acne cells so that these cells absorb intense pulsed light (IPL), the same type used for other cosmetic skin procedures like photorejuvenation and photofacials.
When the photosensitizer, IPL, and oxygen unite, they eradicate the abnormal cells that contribute to your acne. Healthy skin cells remain unaffected.
PDT kills the bacteria on the skin and in the targeted and treated skin cells, leaving healthy cells undamaged. As treated cells lose activity and shed, the unaffected normal cells remain, helping you to maintain a smoother, healthier complexion overall.
An added benefit is that PDT also reduces the size of your sebaceous glands, which, in turn, curbs their oil-producing activity. There’s no new scarring introduced, and the treatment helps to fade old acne scars.
Other common skin conditions that may occur alongside acne, such as rosacea and age spots, may be reduced by PDT, too, further enhancing your overall appearance.
The photosensitizer remains active, so you must avoid the sun for 48 hours after treatment. Your sensitivity to ultraviolet light will be heightened during this period, and you’ll risk severe burning. Sunscreen isn’t enough. Remain indoors and away from windows during this time.
Let us know about the moisturizers, anti-aging serums, or makeup you use as part of your daily skincare routine so that we can evaluate their compatibility for use with PDT. You will likely need to skip them for a few days.
Your skin type and the severity of your acne will determine whether you’ll need additional sessions. Results are usually visible after a single session and additional sessions further enhance the benefit of PDT.
Find out more in consultation with our specialists at Plateroti Dermatology. Call us at 805-434-2821 to schedule your visit today.
